Louisiana students will not be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19 for the upcoming school year, an announcement that comes after much debate surrounding the divisive topic.

As the spring semester nears an end, LSU is changing its COVID-19 policy ahead of the summer.

Following federal authorization, the Louisiana Department of Health has expanded eligibility for a second booster dose of the COVID-19 Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

COVID-19 hospitalizations are at their lowest point since the pandemic began in March 2020, according to the Louisiana Department of Health.

Phased reopening plans, early-morning temperature checks, social distancing in buses and classrooms, and high quarantine numbers have defined Louisiana schools over the last two years amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

After 24 months, Louisiana’s public health emergency is coming to an end.

COVID-19 hospitalizations dropped by 26 overnight to 239 statewide, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

The state has administered more than 5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

COVID-19 hospitalizations dropped by eight overnight to 286 statewide, according to the Tuesday report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

After drawing near to 2,400 in mid-January at the height of the omicron surge, COVID-19 hospitalizations have fallen below 300 across the state, according to the latest update from the Louisiana Department of Health.

COVID-19 hospitalizations fell to 368 across the state, a drop of 26 from the previous report, according to Friday’s update Louisiana Department of Health.

COVID-19 hospitalizations fell below 400 statewide on Thursday, according to a report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

COVID-19 hospitalizations dropped to nearly 400 statewide on Wednesday, reaching the lowest point since Christmas, according to a report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

COVID-19 hospitalizations dropped below 600 on Friday, reaching the lowest point since Dec. 27, 2021, according to a report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

COVID-19 hospitalizations dropped below 700 on Wednesday, further showing signs that Louisiana is tailing off from its fifth surge of the virus.

Three children under the age of 18 have died from COVID-19 during the omicron surge, bringing the total number of pediatric deaths to 21, according to the Louisiana Department of Health.

COVID-19 hospitalizations fell to 701 on Tuesday, a fall of 30 overnight, according to a report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

COVID-19 hospitalizations dropped by 164 over the weekend to 731 statewide, the fewest since Dec. 28, 2021, according to a report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

COVID-19 hospitalizations dropped by 61 on Friday to 895 statewide, the fewest since Dec. 30, 2021, according to a report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

COVID-19 hospitalizations fell below 1,000 for the first time since Dec. 31, 2021, according to Thursday’s noon report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

COVID-19 hospitalizations fell by 66 overnight to 1,022 statewide, according to Wednesday’s update from the Louisiana Department of Health.

Nearly two years after the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Louisiana, the state is removing all mitigation measures.

COVID-19 hospitalizations fell by 47 overnight to 1,088 statewide, according to Tuesday’s update from the Louisiana Department of Health.

COVID-19 hospitalizations fell by 176 over the weekend to 1,135 statewide, according to Monday’s update from the Louisiana Department of Health.

COVID-19 hospitalizations fell by 46 overnight to 1,311 statewide, according to the latest update from the Louisiana Department of Health.

With new COVID-19 cases decreasing in the Baton Rouge area over the last few weeks, LSU will lift its mask mandate on Feb. 14, officials announced Thursday.

For the second straight day, the state reported less than 2,600 new COVID-19 cases as the fifth surge continues to wane, figures from the Louisiana Department of Health’s Wednesday update show.

COVID-19 hospitalizations fell by 30 overnight to 1,538 statewide, according to the Tuesday report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

For the first time in a month, COVID-19 hospitalizations fell to below 1,600 statewide, according to Monday’s noon update from the Louisiana Department of Health.

The Louisiana Department of Health reported just over 7,200 new cases of COVID-19 in its Friday report, but officials said that 25 percent of the cases are more than two weeks old.

COVID-19 hospitalizations fell below 1,900 for the first time in nearly a month, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

COVID-19 hospitalizations dropped by 40 overnight down to 1,912 statewide, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

COVID-19 hospitalizations rose slightly on Tuesday, increasing by 10 to 1,952 statewide, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

COVID-19 hospitalizations dropped below 2,000 statewide for the first time since Jan. 11, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

After rising for two straight days, COVID-19 hospitalizations fell by 23 overnight to 2,187 statewide, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

COVID-19 hospitalizations rose for the second straight day, increasing by 26 overnight to 2,210 statewide, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

After falling over the weekend, COVID-19 hospitalizations rose by 57 overnight to 2,184 across the state on Tuesday, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

Livingston Parish added to its record-setting month of COVID-19, reporting an additional 659 cases over the weekend as the most recent weekly vaccination report hit an all-time low.

COVID-19 hospitalizations plunged over the weekend, giving more proof that the state’s fifth wave of the virus may be reaching its peak.

COVID-19 hospitalizations saw their biggest overnight drop in more than three months on Friday, falling by 63 to 2,304 statewide, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

The state’s latest surge of COVID-19 appears to be nearing its peak, but baseline numbers for new cases, percent positivity, and hospitalizations are likely to remain high for several more weeks, officials said Thursday.

The state surpassed 800,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations rose by another 63 overnight, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

COVID-19 hospitalizations rose above 2,300 for the first time since Sept. 1, 2021, as new cases continue to remain high, the noon update from the Louisiana Department of Health shows.

Louisiana reached another “sobering milestone” in its continued fight against COVID-19 — 1 million cases.

On the day the state passed 1 million COVID-19 cases, Livingston Parish reached its own milestone — 30,000 cases.

More than 1 million Louisiana residents have been infected with COVID-19 since the pandemic began in March 2020, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

The Louisiana Department of Health added more than 14,000 new COVID-19 cases to the ongoing tally in its Friday update as hospitalizations surpassed 2,100.

With Louisiana still in the midst of a record-breaking COVID-19 surge that is showing no signs of slowing down, Gov. John Bel Edwards expects to extend the state’s ongoing public health emergency when the current proclamation expires next week, he told reporters Thursday.

Louisiana has surpassed 2,000 COVID-19 hospitalizations and is now reporting more than at any point in the pandemic other than during the Delta surge, according to figures from the Louisiana Department of Health.

For the third time in less than one week and fifth time in the last two weeks, Louisiana has set a new record for most new COVID-19 cases in a single day, another sign that this latest surge has yet to slow down.

The Louisiana Department of Health has updated its guidance regarding boosters, allowing those who received the Moderna vaccine to get their booster shot five months after completing the series, down from the previous six-month waiting period.

Louisiana added more than 12,000 new COVID-19 cases to its ongoing tally on Tuesday as the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations surpassed 1,900, according to the Louisiana Department of Health.

The number of vaccinations in Livingston Parish rose for the second straight week as new cases continued to spike, according to the Louisiana Department of Health noon update.

Louisiana reported more than 29,000 new COVID-19 cases over the weekend as the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations drew close to 1,800 in this omicron surge, according to new figures from the Louisiana Department of Health.

Gov. John Bel Edwards urged people to resume wearing face masks and get vaccinated during his weekly COVID-19 briefing, but he stopped short of announcing any restrictions despite the record-breaking surge currently sweeping the state.

The Louisiana Department of Health has updated its guidance regarding COVID-19 booster shots, expanding eligibility to children ages 12-15 and shortening the interval one must wait to receive their extra dose.

For the second straight day and fourth time in less than two weeks, the state has set a record for most new cases of COVID-19 reported in a single day.

For the third time in just over a week, the state has set the single-day record for most new cases of COVID-19.

For the third time in just over a week, the state has set the single-day record for most new cases of COVID-19.

The Livingston Parish school system will continue its current COVID-19 safety protocols, which include optional masking, and not suspend extracurricular activities “for the time being” amid the state’s latest surge of the virus.

All but one of Louisiana’s parishes are in the two highest risk categories for COVID-19 community spread as defined by the Center for Disease Control as the Omicron variant continues to rapidly spread, according to the Louisiana Department of Health.

Weekly COVID-19 vaccinations in Livingston Parish increased for the first time in nearly a month, a favorable sign given the recent surge in new cases.

Louisiana reported more than 9,000 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday as the number of hospitalizations surpassed 1,200 for the first time in more than three months, according to the latest figures from the Louisiana Department of Health.

There have been more than 15,000 deaths in Louisiana because of COVID-19, according to the most recent information.

Louisiana has confirmed more than 24,000 new COVID-19 cases since Dec. 30, continuing the state’s recent surge in COVID-19 cases.

COVID-19 hospitalizations doubled over the last week and now are above 1,000 statewide for the first time since late September, according to the Louisiana Department of Health.

Despite a recommendation from the state’s top health officials, the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) said it does not plan to stop high school sports amid the state’s fifth surge of COVID-19.

Officials are advising against traditional New Year’s celebrations as the state experiences its fifth wave of COVID-19, which has led to record-breaking increases in COVID-19 cases and hospitalization in recent days.

Universal masking, social distancing, and suspending extracurricular activities for the time being are some of the COVID-19 recommendations the Louisiana Department of Health presented for schools on Thursday.

Louisiana is firmly in its fifth wave of COVID-19 with historic rises in new cases, percent positivity, and hospitalizations, and the situation is likely to get worse with the New Year’s holiday and the return to school approaching, officials said Thursday.

Louisiana pharmacies have received “a very limited” supply of Paxlovid, the first authorized oral treatment for COVID-19.

For the second straight day, Louisiana set a record for the most new COVID-19 cases reported in a 24-hour period, according to the latest update from the Louisiana Department of Health.

Nearly 90 percent of all COVID-19 cases in Louisiana are the fast-spreading Omicron variant, according to estimates from the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shortened the recommended COVID-19 isolation and quarantine periods for the general public.

Louisiana on Wednesday confirmed its most new COVID-19 cases in a single day since the start of the pandemic nearly two years ago, adding 6,199 new cases to the ongoing tally as the fifth wave of COVID-19 continues.

COVID-19 hospitalizations rose to 514, an increase of 65 from the day before, and are now at their highest point since Oct. 10, another sign the state is now in its fifth wave of the deadly virus.

Several Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles locations, including one in Livingston Parish, are closing as the state’s surge in new COVID-19 cases continues.

Officials confirmed 70 new COVID-19 cases in Livingston Parish in the most recent update, which included new cases dating back to Dec. 23.

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed 9,804 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, with positive results coming from nearly one out of every five tests, continuing the state’s recent spike in new cases.

The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 doubled in the last week, bringing the total to the most since the end of the state’s most recent surge of the deadly virus.

Nearly 85 percent of all COVID-19 cases in Louisiana contain the rapidly-spreading Omicron variant, according to estimates from the Louisiana Department of Health.

Another 12,357 people in the state have started a COVID-19 vaccination series, according to figures from the Louisiana Department of Health.

Where am I, Stephen Hebert wrote, unable to speak because of the large tubes in his throat.

With a new COVID-19 variant sweeping the country and multiplying rapidly in Louisiana, Gov. John Bel Edwards has extended the state’s public health emergency for an additional 28 days.

The Louisiana Department of Health reported 1,624 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in addition to 581 suspected cases on Wednesday, continuing the state’s recent spike.

The Louisiana Department of Health has issued updated COVID-19 guidance for the holidays as the state appears on the verge of its fifth wave of the virus, this one fueled by the Omicron variant.

The state confirmed 1,165 new COVID-19 cases and three new deaths in its Tuesday report, according to figures from the Louisiana Department of Health.

Louisiana is on the verge of its fifth wave of COVID-19 as another fast-spreading variant works it way through the state, health leaders warned in a last-minute Zoom call on Monday.

COVID-19 vaccinations in Livingston Parish dropped for the second straight week and for the third time in the last month, according to figures from the Louisiana Department of Health.

More than 2.6 million Louisiana residents have started a COVID-19 vaccination series, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed 855 new COVID-19 cases and four new deaths in its Friday report.

More than 2.3 million people have completed a COVID-19 vaccination series, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and a Republican lawmaker have filed a joint lawsuit against Gov. John Bel Edwards ​​in an effort to block COVID-19 vaccines from being added to the state’s school immunization schedule.

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed 601 new COVID-19 cases and eight new deaths in its Wednesday report.

Gov. John Bel Edwards will override a recent decision from Louisiana lawmakers and add the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of required vaccines for school children, he announced Tuesday.

One year ago, New Orleans nurse Deborah Ford was the first person in Louisiana to receive a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed 348 new COVID-19 cases and 14 new deaths in its Tuesday report.

Less than 400 Livingston Parish residents started a COVID-19 vaccine last week, failing to hit that mark for the second time in three weeks, according to figures from the Louisiana Department of Health.

Nearly half of Louisiana is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as the state inches closer to the 50-percent mark, according to the latest from the Louisiana Department of Health.

The Louisiana Department of Health is following federal guidance and expanding COVID-19 booster shots to 16- and 17-year-olds.

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed 353 new COVID-19 cases and seven new deaths in its Friday report.

The Louisiana Department of Health reported 20 new cases of the Omicron variant Thursday evening, including one in Region 9, which encompasses Livingston Parish.

Just over 10,400 additional Louisiana residents have initiated a COVID-19 vaccine series, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

After reporting three new “probable” cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant Wednesday morning, the Louisiana Department of Health reported another 13 Wednesday evening, bringing the identified total to 17, though there are likely more.

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed 435 new COVID-19 cases and 12 new deaths in its Wednesday report.

Louisiana lawmakers rejected a proposal to add the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of vaccines required for school children, though Gov. John Bel Edwards has stated his intentions to override such a vote.

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed 317 new COVID-19 cases and six new deaths in its Tuesday report.

More Livingston Parish residents started a COVID-19 vaccine series last week than in any week since early October, pushing the total to date past 60,000, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

The Louisiana Department of Health is following federal guidance and expanding COVID-19 booster shots to 16- and 17-year-olds.

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed 353 new COVID-19 cases and seven new deaths in its Friday report.

The Louisiana Department of Health reported 20 new cases of the Omicron variant Thursday evening, including one in Region 9, which encompasses Livingston Parish.

Just over 10,400 additional Louisiana residents have initiated a COVID-19 vaccine series, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

After reporting three new “probable” cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant Wednesday morning, the Louisiana Department of Health reported another 13 Wednesday evening, bringing the identified total to 17, though there are likely more.

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed 435 new COVID-19 cases and 12 new deaths in its Wednesday report.

Louisiana lawmakers rejected a proposal to add the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of vaccines required for school children, though Gov. John Bel Edwards has stated his intentions to override such a vote.

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed 317 new COVID-19 cases and six new deaths in its Tuesday report.

More Livingston Parish residents started a COVID-19 vaccine series last week than in any week since early October, pushing the total to date past 60,000, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

Just over 13,000 more Louisiana residents have started a COVID-19 vaccine series, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

A total of 17 COVID-19 cases have been identified among passengers and crew of the Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) cruise ship that disembarked in New Orleans on Sunday, including one probable case of the new Omicron variant, according to the Louisiana Department of Health.

Louisiana has reported its first “probable” case of the Omicron COVID-19 variant, the latest variant that was found in the U.S. earlier this week.

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed 310 new COVID-19 cases and four new deaths in its Friday report.

Just over 8,700 more Louisiana residents have started a COVID-19 vaccine series, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed 520 new COVID-19 cases and seven new deaths in its Wednesday report.

The state is once again extending its “Shot For 100” campaign, in which people can receive a $100 gift card for getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed 306 new COVID-19 cases and seven new deaths in its Tuesday report.

For the third time in a month, the number of Livingston Parish residents who started a COVID-19 vaccine series in the previous week reached an all-time low, according to figures from the Louisiana Department of Health.

Nearly 50 percent of the state has completed a vaccination series against COVID-19, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

Attorney General Jeff Landry has spoken out against a proposal from the Louisiana Department of Health to require the COVID-19 vaccine for some Louisiana students, a proposal he called the latest example of “government abuse and bullying.”

The Department of Health confirmed 393 new COVID-19 cases and 10 new deaths in its Tuesday report.

Livingston Parish reported a bump in weekly COVID-19 vaccinations for the second straight week, according to data from the Louisiana Department of Health.

Just under 11,200 more Louisiana residents have started a COVID-19 vaccine series, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

The state confirmed 311 new COVID-19 cases and seven new deaths in its Friday report, according to the Louisiana Department of Health.

The state has administered more than 4.6 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

All Louisiana adults should get a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot if enough time has passed after their last shot, according to updated guidance from the Louisiana Department of Health.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the staff at Ochsner Medical Center in Baton Rouge waited for the day when the hospital wouldn’t have to admit another patient carrying the deadly disease.

COVID-19 hospitalizations fell back below 200 on Wednesday, dropping by 14 overnight to 195 statewide, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

One day after dropping below 200 for the first time since the pandemic began, COVID-19 hospitalizations rose by 13 overnight to 209 statewide, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

LSU is lifting its campus-wide indoor mask mandate, President William Tate IV announced Tuesday.

Livingston Parish reported its most new COVID-19 vaccinations in nearly a month, according to the latest data from the Louisiana Department of Health.

More than 2.5 million Louisiana residents have initiated a vaccine series against COVID-19, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

Nearly 2.5 million Louisiana residents have initiated a vaccine series against COVID-19, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed 299 new COVID-19 cases and nine new deaths in its Wednesday report.

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed 263 new COVID-19 cases and 21 new deaths in its Tuesday report.

The Livingston Parish schools superintendent reiterated the district’s position that decisions regarding child vaccinations against COVID-19 are best left up to students’ parents and medical providers.

For the second time in three weeks, the number of Livingston Parish residents who started a COVID-19 vaccine series during the previous week hit an all-time low, according to figures from the Louisiana Department of Health.

Another 9,155 Louisiana residents have initiated a vaccine series against COVID-19, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

COVID-19 hospitalizations have dropped to their lowest point since the start of the pandemic, according to data from the Louisiana Department of Health.

A little more than 5,700 additional Louisiana residents have initiated a vaccine series against COVID-19, continuing the state's recent trend of declining vaccination rates, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

All Louisiana children ages 5 to 11 are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, the Louisiana Department of Health has announced.

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed 245 new COVID-19 cases and 17 new deaths in its Wednesday report.

The Louisiana Department of Health is currently reviewing the guidance and underlying information regarding the Center for Disease Control’s recommendation that young children be vaccinated against COVID-19.

COVID-19 hospitalizations dropped to their lowest point in more than four months, further showing that the state has rebounded from its fourth surge, according to the latest figures from the Louisiana Department of Health.

More than 58,000 Livingston Parish residents have started a vaccine series against COVID-19, accounting for just over 40 percent of the local population, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

More than 2.2 million Louisiana residents have completed a vaccine series against COVID-19, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.

The state is expanding its “Shot For 100” campaign, in which people can receive a $100 gift card for getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

With the statewide mask mandate lifted and community spread of COVID-19 declining in recent weeks, the next meeting of the Livingston Parish Council will be in-person, council members said.

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed 206 new COVID-19 cases and 19 new deaths in its Friday report.

Nearly 2.2 million Louisiana residents have completed a vaccine series against COVID-19, according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health.